Code-signaling apparatus



Nov. 30 1926.

. H. A. WALLACE com: SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed March 12, 1925 J5 xNvENToR:

ATTCIJRNEY L'JLJ m mgm ,4pparatlzs Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

Uhli'i'ED "STATES HERBERT'A. WALLACE, EDGENOOD BOROUGIL PEBTNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO Til-IE Union SWITCH EcSIG-NAiL contrast, on sin:

PORATION OLE PENNSYLVANIA.

SSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A R

CDTDE SIGNALING AIPZARATUS.

Application filed March 12, 1325.

My invention relates to code signaling apparatus, and particularly to apparatus of the type comprising means for transmitting code combinations of alternating current, and a selector responsive to such code combinations.

Apparatus embodying my invention is particularly adapted for, though in no Way limited to, use in railway tratlic controlling systems.

I will describe one form of code signaling system embodying m'y inventlon, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accon'ipanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a view, partly sectional, showing in front elevation, one form of selector embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view along line IIII of Fig. l. 3 is a View, partly diagrammatic, showing one form of transmitting means for supplying energy to the selector illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and ale embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer tosimilar parts in each of the three views.

teferring first to Figs. 1 and 3, the selector comprises an electromagnet A, a second electronic-gust C, and a contact mechanism comprising a disk B controlled jointly by these two magnets. lvlagnet A. comprises the usual two cores 3 of inagnetizahle material each'provided with a winding 1 and connected at'theirupperends by a back strap'Q, also of magnetizable material. The arn'iature t of magnet A'con'trols a plungere which passes through a hole in back strap It will be seen that when magnet A is deenergized, plunger drops to its low-er position under the influence of gravity, butthat when naagnet A is energized armature 4 is attracted by cores 3 and the plunger 5 is moved upwardly.

Attached to back strap is a Ushaped "supporting yoke 9. Inthe upper arm 0 of this yoke is journalled in the hub of a ratchet wheel '10 so supported as to allow free rotation about its axis and to also allow a small amount of motion parallel to "the axis of the wheel.

The upper end of plunger 5 is provided with a bearing 6 to receive the lower end of a spindle 7, the upper end of which is journalled in wheel 10. Attached to spindle 7 is the contact disk 13 comprising a flat disk of Serial No. men.

conducting material having a projection '17 outstanding from its edge for cooperating with certain lined contacts 18, 19 and 20. The parts are so proportioned and disposed that when magnet A is tie-energized to allow plunger 5 to assume its lower position, disk B is spaced from wheel 10 by a considerable distance but that when magnet A is energized disk B is moved upwardly to engage the lower surface of wheel 10, lifting this wheel upwardly a smalldista'ncc so that un der this condition rotation of wheel 10 will also cause rotation of disk 13 by friction. The friction between disk 13 and wheel 10 may be increased by means of a washer 28 in tcrposed therebetween.

Ratchet wheel 10 is controlled by magnet C, which magnet comprises two cores 12,

each provided with winding 15 and connected together at one end by a back strap 13. The magnet C further comprises a magnetizcd polarizingcore 14 attached to baclr strap 13 and extending between cores 12. Pivotally attached to the free end of the core 1% is an armature 16 carrying a drive pawl 11 for engaging teeth 27 on the edge of wheel 10. hen windings 15 of magnet C are supplied with current flowing in one direction armature 16 is swung to the left and when the direction of this current is reversed the armature isswung to the right. Iffthen magnet C is supplied with alternating current,warinature 16 is swung throughone complete cycle of movement for each cycle of the alteri'iating current. This motion of armature 16 actuates pawl 11 so that wheel 10 isadvanced in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2, by one tooth for each half cycle of the alternating current supplied to magnet C.

A sprin 8 having one end attached to the disk B and the other end attached to plunger '6, tends to move disk 13 in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2, and the disk is therefore biased to the position in which it is illustrated in the drawing, further motion in a IOU (ill

and magnet C is supplied with alternating current to operate pawl 11, disk 13 is rotated against the bias exerted by spring 8 and after a certain number of alternations, projection 17 will be over, but not in engagement with contact 18. If magnet A should now become de-energized, armature A and plunger will drop, allowing disk B to move downwardly. During this motion contact 1718 will be momentarily closed. The disk B is then returned to its initial position by spring 8. Similarly, if magnet C is supplied with a certain greater number of alternations before magnet A is de energized, contact 1719 is closed for an instant as disk B drops, and if with a certain still greater number of alternations, the de-energization of magnet A allows contact 1720 to become closed for an instant. In each of these cases it should be noticed that if the disk has not been moved to a position directly over one of the contact fingers 18,

19 or 20 when magnet A becomes de-ener gized, none of the contacts will be closed the disk returns to its initial position.

The contacts on the selector may be used to control indicators or other apparatus in any desired manner. As here shown three slow acting relays 21, 22 and are controlled by contacts 1718, 1719, and 17-20, respectively, so that each time one of such contacts is closed, the associates relay receives a surge of energy from a battery 24.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the reference characters 29 and 29 designate the track rails of a stretch of track over which traiiic normally moves in the direction of the ar row. The reference character Q, designates, in general, a transmitter for supplying the rails with code combinations of alternating current. In the present form this transmitter comprises a plurality of contact disks 35, 36 and 37, of insulating material, rotated in unison by a constant speed motor M supplied with energy from a suitable source of alternating current such as an alternator G.

Contact disk 35 carries two oppositely disposed electrically connected contact segments 35 of comparatively small peripheral length. Each of the remaining contact disks is similar to disk 35 except that the contact segments 36 and 37 are of successively greater peripheral lengths. Associated with each disk is a pair of fixed brushes 38 arranged to bear against the edge of the corresponding disk at diametrically opposite points thereon. The brushes 38 of each pair are therefore connected together intermittently as they engage the contact segments of the associated disk during rotation of the disks. Circuit controller 34, operated in any suitable manner, is arranged to connect alternator G across the rails 29 and 29 through any selected one of the contact disks. When this circuit controller 34 is open, no current is supplied to the rails of the stretch of track. When contact S t-34c is closed alternator G is intermittently connected with the rails through disk 35 for comparatively short time intervals and the rails are supplied with code combinations of alternating current each made up of, for example, 15 alternations. When contact 34-3 1 is closed the current supplied to the stretch is made up of longer code combinations as, for example, alternations each, and when contact 3 l34 is closed, the track is supplied with still longer code combinations as of alternations each. It should be noticed that in each case, each two successive code combinations are separated by an interval of time during which no current is supplied to the rails.

The selector is located on a train T, and is controlled in the following manner by the code combinations supplied to the trackway.

Carried upon the train T in advance of the forward axle 31 are two magnetizable cores 32 and 32*, located in inductive relation with the two track rails 29 and 29, resnectively. Core 32 is provided with a winding 33, and core 32 is provided with a: similar winding 33, these windings being so connected together, that voltages induced therein by alternating currents flowing in opposite directions in the two track rails at an instant are additive. The windings 33 and 33 are connected, through suitable amplifying apparatus D with the windings .15 of magnet C on a selector similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Since amplifying apparatus usually delivers a pulsating direct current, a transformer Q is interposed between amplifying apparatus D and the windings 15 and these windings are therefore supplied with alternating current of the same characteristics as that existing in windings 33 and 3a. The pulsating direct current delivered by amplifying apparatus D is supplied directly to windings 1 of magnet A of the selector.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, as well as to Fig. 3, when contact selector, and the parts are in the normal or de-energized condition shown in the drawing, if contact 34-- 34 is closed, the code combinations of 15 alternations each are supplied to the selector.

The alternating current so supplied to magnet C operates pawl 11 to rotate wheel 10, and magnet A is also energized, so that disk B is lifted into frictional engagement with wheel 10 and therefore the disk is rotated by the wheel. Contact 18 is so located that when 15 alternations have been impressed upon magnet C, projection 17 is over contact 18. Vlhen relay A then becomes deenergized, disk B drops as explained hereinafter, and contact 1718 is closed for an instant. Relay 21 then becomes energized.

tion.

alternating current cease, none. of the con contact closed as long as these code combinations are being received.

If contact 34-34 of transmitter Q, is closed the operation is similar to that already described except that since each code combination now comprises 25 alternations, disk B is rotated through a greater angle for each combination and contact 1719 is closed for an instant immediately at the end of each code combination so that relay 22 is energized. Relay 22 being slow acting,

maintains its front contact closed as long as these c'ode combinations are received. Similarly if contact 3434 of transmitter Q is closed, contact 17 20 on the selector is closed once for each code combination and the front contacts of relay 23 are held in the closed position. Relays 21, 22 and 23, may be used to control indicating or governing apparatus in any desired manner.

Should alternating current be Continuously supplied to the trackawy, disk 13 would be rotated till projection 17 would be arrested by stop 26, and further motion of wheel 10 would simply be absorbed in fric- It should be noted that should this tacts would be closed, disk B dropping immediately upon the de-energization of magnet A, and returning to its initial position under the influence of spring 8.

One advantage of my invention is that the transmitter comprises only simple apparatus of proven reliability and allows the use of alternating current with the attendant "economy in transmission of power.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of selector embodying my invention and only one form of apparatus for controlling such selector, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein Within the scope of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit and scope 01" my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

"1. In combination, a stretch of railway track, means for supplying alternating current to the rails of said stretch and for periodically interrupting such supply to provide code combinations made up of different numbers of alternations, a selector controlled by said current in the track rails and resaid source with means controlled by sa1d first magnet and sponsive selectively to the number of alternations in said code combinations, and tratlic governing means controlled by said selector.

2. In combination, a stretch of railway track, means for supplying alternating current to the rails or" said stretch and for periodically interrupting such supply after diiierent numbers of alternations, a selector controlled by said current in the track rails and responsive selectively to the number of alternations between interruptions, andtra'ffic i governing means controlled by said selector.

In combination, a stretch of railway' track, means for supplying alternating current to the rails ct said stretch and for periodically interrupting such supply to provide code combinations made up of different numbers of alternations, a selector controlled by said track rail current and comprising a plurality of contacts one or another of which is momentarilyclosed after each combination depending on the number of alternations in the combination, and traf- 'fic governing means controlled by said contacts.

a In combination, a stretch of railway traclnnieans for supplying alternating current to the rails of said stretch and for periodically interrupting such supply to provide code combinations made up oi different numbers of alternations, a selector controlled by said track rail current and comprising a plurality of contacts one or another oil? which is momentarily closed after each combination d pending on the number oi alternations in the combination, a plurality of slow releasing relays one or each contact and each provided with an energizing circuit including the associated contact, the release period of each relay being greater than the interval between successive closings of its associated contact when the selector is receiving the combination to which such contact responds, and traliic governing means controlled by said relays.

5. In combination, a contact mechanism biased to an initial position, a first magnet,

tions of alternating current connected with said first magnet, amplifying apparatus and a transformer interposed between said source and said first magnet, means for connecting said second magnet, and

eii'ective when said second magnet is energized for moving said contactmechanism against such bias by an amount which deber of alternations in each such code combination, and governing means on the train controlled by said selector.

7. In combination, a stretch of railway track, means for supplying said stretch with code combinations of alternating current, a train carried selector, means on the train for supplying energy from the trackway to said selector, and governing means controlled by said selector in accordance with the number of alternations in each such code combination.

8. In combination, an operating magnet and a clutch magnet, means for supplying said magnets with alternating current interrupted to form code combinations made up of.- difierent numbers of alternations, a contact member biased to an initial position, a driving member, means interposed between said operating magnet and said driving member for moving said driving member a. different amount during each code combination depending on the number of alternations in the combination, means operated by said clutch magnet when energized to operatively connect said contact member and said driving member, and a plurality of contacts one or another of which is closed momentarily upon release of said clutch magnet after each code combination depending on the amount of movement of the two members during such combination.

9. In combination, a first magnet and a second magnet, a source of code combinations of alternating current connected with said first magnet, amplifying apparatus and a transformer interposed between said source and said first magnet, means for connecting said source with said second magnet, a contact mechanism biased to an initial position, a driving device operated by said first magnet and effective when said second magnet is energized to move said contact mechanism away from such initial position by a predetermined amount for each half cycle of alternating current supplied to said first magnet, and indicating means responsive to the position of said contact mechanism.

10. In combination, a contact mechanism biased to an initial position, a first magnet, a second magnet, a source of code combinations of alternating current connected with said two magnets, and means controlled by said first magnet and effective when said second magnet is energized for moving said contact mechanism against such bias by an amount which depends upon the number of alternations in each said code combination.

11. In combination, a first magnet and a second magnet, a source of code combinations of alternating current connected with said two magnets, a. contact mechanism biased to an initial position, a driving device operated by said first magnet and etfective when said second magnet is energized to move said contact mechanism away from such initial position by a predetermined amount for each half cycle of alternating current supplied to said first magnet, and indicating means responsive to the position of said contact mechanism.

12. In combination, a stretch of railway track, means for supplying alternating current to the rails of said stretch and for periodically interrupting such supply to provide code combinations made up of different numbers of alternations, a train carried selector controlled by said current in the track rails and responsive selectively to the number of alternations in said code combinations, and governing means on the train controlled by said selector.

13. In combination, a stretch of railway track, means for supplying alternating current to the rails of said stretch and for periodically interrupting such supply after different numbers of alternations, a train carried selector controlled by said current in the track rails and responsive selectively to the number of alternations between interruptions, and governing means on the train controlled by said selector.

14. In combination, a stretch of railway track, means for supplying alternating current to the rails of said stretch and for periodically interrupting such supply to provide code combinations made up of difierent numbers of alternations, a train carried selector controlled by said track rail current and comprising a plurality of contacts one or another of which is momentarily closed after each combination depending on the number or alternations in the combination, and governing means on the train controlled by said contacts.

15. In combination, a stretch of railway I track, means for supplying alternating current to the rails of said stretch and for periodically interrupting such supply to provide code combinations made up of difierent numbers of alternations, a train carried selector controlled by said track rail current and comprising a plurality of contacts one or another of which is momentarily closed after each combination depending on the number of alternations in the combination, a plurality of train carried slow releasing relays one for each contact and each provided with an energizing circuit including the associated contact, the release period of each relay being greater than the interval between successive closings of its associated contact when the selector is receiving the combination to which such contact responds, and governing means on the train controlled by said relays.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HERBERT A. WALLACE. 

